Chevrolet will show off its Trax compact crossover SUV at this year’s Paris Show. The Trax, which will provide Chevrolet with a foil to such established rivals as the VW Tiguan, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, will join the Captiva and soon-to-be-introduced Trailblazer to round off the company’s SUV range.
Measuring 4 248 mm in length, 1 776 mm high and sporting a 2 555 mm wheelbase, the production Trax features exterior styling that has been considerably toned down from that of the 2007 concept which Chevrolet showed off at the New York Motor Show. The frontal styling omits the concept’s boggle-eyed headlamps in favour of a more familial face incorporating such signature features as the twin-port grille with bow-tie on the divider and swept-back headlamps whose lines flow into strong shoulder lines on the flanks.
The engine line-up comprises a pair of petrol units and a turbodiesel. The petrols include a turbocharged 1,4-litre unit that develops 103 kW and 200 N.m of torque. This unit is coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox and will be joined by a naturally aspirated 1,6-litre petrol engine. The 1,7-litre turbodiesel develops 96 kW and 300 N.m of torque. All of these engines feature start/stop technology, while the 1,4 turbopetrol and 1,7 turbodiesel can be specified with an all-wheel drive system as well as an optional six-speed automatic transmission.
In addition to the usual SUV/crossover interior tricks such as a flat-folding front seat as a part of a configurable seating set-up and lots of oddment bins, higher-spec versions of the Trax will feature Chevrolet MyLink – a colour display system that synchronises with most smartphones to access navigation and other features.
On the safety front, the Trax will feature six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including Hill Start Assist (HSA), Traction Control (TC), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution. Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) are standard on LT trim vehicles.
“Trax will deliver on all of the traditional Chevrolet values and more. It is a modern, highly versatile yet fuel-efficient small SUV, offering car-like handling and all-wheel drive,” said Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe. “Trax is the modern expression of one of Chevrolet’s core competencies, which is building and selling great SUVs,” Docherty said.
Further details, including the liklihood of local availability, will emerge closer to the official unveiling at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
